Course Syllabus
Course Overview- This subject offers an introduction to the social, political, economic, and cultural history of the United States – from the end of the American Civil War to the present, (well...as present as we can get with the class ending in January). One question you might be asking is...'What about the other 100+ years we seem to be skipping, Ms. Richards?' Good question! The course is a little over 9 months long and there is simply not enough time to cover all historical content. I've decided to focus on later American history for a few reasons but the most important is to allow the adults in your family to share their experiences in living the history you are learning. They will be some of the best first-hand knowledge of history that you can possibly be exposed to! We will be pulling them into your growing knowledge of US History often. Now, back to what we will cover:
What is History?
America's Founding Documents/Ideals
Brief Look at US History via Maine-Colonial Times to Reconstruction
Westward Expansion-Immigration
Innovation and Industry-Labor's Response
Expansion and Foreign Policy
Roaring 20s and Depression
Emergence of the U.S. as a Global Power-WWI-WWII
Cold War at Home and Abroad
Conflicted Times-1950s-1970s
The 'Me' Decade-1980s
Post-Cold War Decade-1990s
Technological Revolution-2000s
The 2024 Election! (How lucky you are to be taking a US History course during an election year).
Students enrolled in the course will be expected to engage intensively with course materials through frequent oral and written exercises. The primary goal of the course is that you will have a better understanding of US History and how it affects your life. On a side note: My personal goal is to try my best to convince you to get out into the US and explore and play in it! I want you to be forever engaged and curious.
Grading and Participation- This course will be an opportunity for you to challenge yourself as a student. Emphasis will be placed on:
reading especially primary source documents
writing to prove content absorption and express opinions
speaking in the forms of debate and discussion to grow confidence and clarity
listening as an active participant not a passive receptacle for information
group work and projects that will weave together the reading, writing, speaking, and listening portions of the class
It is my goal to help you advance the creation and communication of your own thoughts and opinions and to that end, this course is meant to broaden your horizons and help your understanding of your brain and how it functions, how to improve how it functions, and the challenges that confront individuals, (perhaps even yourself) when the brain doesn't function in the way(s) that most other brains do. It is expected that you attend class and engage with it. There is also homework that you must complete. You should expect grading of class participation, any assigned homework/projects, and you will also need to show content mastery when given quizzes and tests. Attendance is critical and graded as this course is not meant to be a correspondence course, please read the expectations section of this syllabus as I mean this very seriously.
Expectations– When it comes to how my room will run I like the ancient Greek idea of “arête”. This idea stresses that each person performs a task to the best of their ability in order not only to better their own lives but the lives of others in their society. Doing one's best is an obligation...not an option. There is joy and pride to be found in performing at the pinnacle of what is possible for you. You are important to the successful running of this course and you presence is missed when you are not in class.
So...Rules Of The Classroom
*Come to class on time and be prepared.
*Respect those around you - peers, ideas, and property. Be mindful of how you present yourself and your ideas.
*Have work ready to hand in on time and completed. Make-up work should be completed in a timely manner if you miss class. If you are absent with no note your work will not be accepted. Make sure Lydia is informed of your absence! You lose points you could earn for an assignment when it is handed in late. Most assignments are not accepted for any grade if they are not turned in within 3 days of their due date. That's days NOT classes...make a note of that!
*Participate in all classroom activates as much as you can! Learning is more than sitting and listening. Its debate, discussion, and interaction. If you miss class and it's a day with a graded activity, (most days are) you may lose some points due to your inability to "arete" for your classmates.
*Ask questions if you are confused about something and express your concerns in a constructive and responsible manner. (Be a respectful advocate for your education!)
*Come to class with a good attitude.
*Try to make this fun for yourself and your classmates.
*No food, no gum. Drinks are fine if people are responsible.
*Use of bathroom is at-will please stay downstairs.
*No cellphones...period. Put them in my holder at the beginning of class.
*Headphones and/or earbuds are put away.
Course Summary:
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